If not available in your local bike shop, Wald fills orders quickly and adds only $2.50 to the reasonable $12.95 price of this handy addition to one's ride.Sunday, March 24, 2013
Wald Adjustable ROK Commuter Strap Review
You never know when you are going to unexpectedly add something (dare I say "precious"?) that needs to be carried on the next leg of a trip, or back home, if not starting out with something extra for that matter. So its helpful to always have a strap and fastener of some kind handy to bind the addition to the rack, handlebars, frame, within the basket or onto the bags you have with you, whatever. Ideally the strap would be small, adjustable, and reliable once attached. To the rescue come the clever new ROK Commuter Straps from Wald, a century-plus old supplier of bicycle baskets and other parts.
The straps are sold in sets of two per order, are available in Orange or Green Reflective material, and each adjusts from 12" to 28" (304mm to 720mm) x ½". The tension on the shock cord is constant after it is threaded through the loop, adjusted around the load, buckled, and pulled tight. There is no metal to scratch one's ride like bungee cords might, and it is small enough to add to a saddle bag or attach to one's rack or frame without getting in the way when not in use. The reflectivity and bright color provides the added bonus of a safety feature wherever it is attached.
If not available in your local bike shop, Wald fills orders quickly and adds only $2.50 to the reasonable $12.95 price of this handy addition to one's ride.
If not available in your local bike shop, Wald fills orders quickly and adds only $2.50 to the reasonable $12.95 price of this handy addition to one's ride.
Hyalite Dry Hive Underseat Bag Review
One never knows when a few parts might come in handy even on the most beautiful of weather days or simplest of rides, from dealing with a flat tire or loose fitting (hence, a tube, tire lever, pump, rag, and small multi-tool), unexpected rain (small waterproof vest or jacket or at least emergency poncho), a threatening animal (pepper spray), or just storing a key or garage door opener... and so on! When commuting to work I will almost always carry a pannier or backpack, but even then it is handy to have those every-ride essentials along without remembering to pack them each time, or give up the space. An under the saddle bag is a basic, everyday convenience. I have really appreciated the Hyalite Dry Hive Underseat Bag (BDH201BK), which holds 1.2 Liters. I got the Black version, but Brown is also available. The 1.2 Liter capacity bag measures 6.3 x 15.2 x 8.9 cm; the smaller .7 L version is 5.1 x 12.7 x 6.3 cm, and the larger 2.5 L one is 12.7 x 20.3 x 11.4 cm.
There are several features that led to my interest in this bag. To begin with, it's waterproof, made of durable 420 denier nylon to resist abrasion, has a reflective stripe around the back and both sides, looks neat and tidy and is a medium in size, fitting the profile of my bike, to my eye at least (admittedly, I am still thinking about adding the large version to be able to switch to when I "just need more stuff," or as the Boy Scout might put it, to which I admit affinity: to always "be prepared"!).
An additional nifty feature is a seat cover tucked into a pocket on the outside of the zippered storage area. It is attached by line to the hardware fastened to the rails under the saddle so that you simply pull it over the saddle (it has an elastic band to hold it in place neatly), keeping the seat clean and dry, whether you remove the bag to carry with you or leave it attached. They also sell a version of the bag without the rain cover option.
The feature that really sold me, however, was its detachability: it simply slides on and off the R&K hardware that attaches to the saddle rails, by which the bag is secured in place (although not a lock--that could be an interesting option for Hyalite to explore; no?), making it a snap to take along when necessary to leave the bike out of sight. It is a hassle and can be time-consuming to attach several velcro straps and try to get the alignment straight, as had been the case with my previous bag: with the Hyalite bag it is a snap, and it still makes me smile every time I need to do so! And, as already admitted, I could use the same hardware but switch to a larger (or smaller) version when the ride called for more stuff (or less; but when would that be?). I have already purchased a second medium version for my folding bike, and can swap between the two handily, outfitting each for different kinds of rides! By the way, the assembly is simple and fast; the parts are well made.
There are several features that led to my interest in this bag. To begin with, it's waterproof, made of durable 420 denier nylon to resist abrasion, has a reflective stripe around the back and both sides, looks neat and tidy and is a medium in size, fitting the profile of my bike, to my eye at least (admittedly, I am still thinking about adding the large version to be able to switch to when I "just need more stuff," or as the Boy Scout might put it, to which I admit affinity: to always "be prepared"!).
An additional nifty feature is a seat cover tucked into a pocket on the outside of the zippered storage area. It is attached by line to the hardware fastened to the rails under the saddle so that you simply pull it over the saddle (it has an elastic band to hold it in place neatly), keeping the seat clean and dry, whether you remove the bag to carry with you or leave it attached. They also sell a version of the bag without the rain cover option.
The feature that really sold me, however, was its detachability: it simply slides on and off the R&K hardware that attaches to the saddle rails, by which the bag is secured in place (although not a lock--that could be an interesting option for Hyalite to explore; no?), making it a snap to take along when necessary to leave the bike out of sight. It is a hassle and can be time-consuming to attach several velcro straps and try to get the alignment straight, as had been the case with my previous bag: with the Hyalite bag it is a snap, and it still makes me smile every time I need to do so! And, as already admitted, I could use the same hardware but switch to a larger (or smaller) version when the ride called for more stuff (or less; but when would that be?). I have already purchased a second medium version for my folding bike, and can swap between the two handily, outfitting each for different kinds of rides! By the way, the assembly is simple and fast; the parts are well made.
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